Guard-rail structure for toy railway tracks



-W. M. FISCHBACH GUARD RAIL STRUCTURE FOR TOY RAILWAY TRACKS Filed Dec. 11

,- 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 11,1926. 1,583,968

I W. M. FISCHBACH GUARD RAIL STRUCTURE FOR TOY RAILWAY TRACKS Filed Dec. 11, 1924 2 Sheets sheet 2 Patented May 11,1926,

. ocean-RAIL s'rnuc'runn roa 'roY RAILWAY 'rn'aoirs j Appl cation filed December This inventionrelates to improvements intoy railways. and more particularly to a guard rail structure designed for attachment to any of the ordinary types. of tracks upon which toy trains are run, the purpose of the guard rail structure being to prevent,

the locomotive and cars drawn thereby tip ping over and leaving-the tracks of the railway in rounding curves, "as we'll as'when' traveling upon straight sections of track ape proaching and leaving a curve. 7 It is customary to manufacture these tracks in I standard or uniformsizes or,.1n other words,

to manufacture the tracks with standard distances between the rails,-and, therefore, .the present invention contemplates the provision of a guard rail structure which may, be instantly adapted to a section of such a railway bybeing merely snapped into ongagement with the same and without the employment of any extraneous fastening means or any tools'whatsocver. p

As stated above, t is customary to manu facture the railways in standard sizes and it is also customary to manufacture the 1000- motives and cars with their wheels so spaced as to adapt locomotives and cars of a number of difierent sizes, orv more'spe'cifically, widths, to travel upon a railway of a definite size or gauge. Therefore, when a guard rail structure is provided 1n connection with such a railway, it is desirable that means be provided for spacing the guard rails'a greater or lessdistance from the outer rail of the railway or track so that locomotives gof different sizes may sweep along the guard rail in rounding curves, and, therefore, the present invention has as,another obyect, to

base members of such construction as to adapt them for application to the railway or track in'amanner to suitably space the guard rail, sup orted therecn,iwith relation u'al nections, or employing tools. ofany nature to the outer rail of the track, the invention contemplating, at the same" time, a structure in which this adjustment may be efi'ected without. the necessity of adjusting individparts or loosening-and tightening conprovide a guard rail structure embodying- 11, 1924. Serial Myriam, i

' WALTER it. FISCHBACH, or mrwnuxnu, Wiscons n;

vide novel means whereby the base members I of the guard rail structuremaybe supported in an elevated position; where this is found desirable.- v

mIn the accompanyingfdrawings:

fing one embodiment oftheguard rail struc ture adapted to a section of track,

Figure 2 isa vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the. line 2-.2 of

1 Figure 1, l'ookingin the direction indicated Figure'lis a perspectiveview unseat;

by thearrows, and illustrating one manner of assembling the basemeinber of rail structure with .thetrack. I

the guard Figure 3 is a similar viewillustrating another -manner of assembling: the. base 7 member of the structure with the;track.'-' I Figure 4 is a*view similarlto Figure2,

illustrating a slight modification of the ilk "vent-ion.

Figure line 5-5 of Figure 4,1ooking in the direc-' tion indicated by the arrows.

. Figure 6 is a view similar to 5 is a detail vertical transverse -sect1onal view. taken substantially on the ta .1 Figure 4, il 7 lustrating another 1 modification of thein vention, in which the base 'membernofthea railway ortrack. ;F1gure '1 is a vertical transverse sectional-f viewtakensubstantially on the line 7---7 0'1 guard rail structure is adapted to the tiesof.

1 Figure 6', looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

ing a form of the invention-in which the vated position.

, Figure 8 is a perspective view-illust-rat- 9 -Referring first to the embodiment of the" invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the railway or track com-. prises the usual ties, indicated by the nu meral 1, and the main rails 2 and third rail 3, These parts are of the usual'construction and hence, need no specific description, except to; say that the track is made in straight and curved sections which are adapted tobe connected together end to'end to make up the completed railway over which the my; train 15' to run, "andthe guard rail structure embodying the inven tion is adaptable to boththe "curved and straight track sections, as. will be evident as the description of the invention progrosses. The guard rail structure embodying the invention'wil-l be made in sectime corresponding, approximately, 111 length I tothe length of the track sections now in do so, the guard rail structure may be made in a length to embrace any desired number of track sections. In any event, the structure comprises base members which are indicated in general by the reference numeral 4 and each of which is formed from an integral strip of metal possessing a desirable degree of resiliency, This strip is so formed, by bending or stamping operation, as to include a substantially flat end portion indicated by the numeral 5,- into which is secured the lower end of an upright 6 having a bracket 7 projecting from that side there- Of which is to be presented toward the'outer one of the rails 2 of the track or railway section. and supporting the guard rail, which is indicated by the numeral 8, and which is in the form of a strip of metal supported by one or more of the uprights 6 and the associated brackets 7, depending upon the length of the guard rail structure as a whole, the strip comprising the rail 8 being continuous and being smooth upon thatside which is presented toward the track with which the guard rail structure is associated 'so that the side of the locomotive passing the rail may move along the surface thereof without any obstruction being offered to the free travel of the locomotive. From the end portion 5, the strip comprising the base member is curved upwardly-and thence extended horizontally as at 9, and beyond the portion 9 the strip is bent to provide a rail seat indicated in general by the numeral 10,

' and comprising a vertically extending por- 'tion 11, a railbase supporting portion 12 extending substantially horizontally from the portion 11, and arail base flange engaging portion 13 which extends upwardly and inwardly toward the portion 11 and somewhat overhangs the rail base supporting portion 12. Beyond the portion 13, the strip is bent to provide a horizontally extending i. portion 14 and is thence adjacent the other end of the bent back beneath the portion 14 and again'bent as at 15, to provide an overhanging nose portion 16 located above and in spaced relation to a second rail base supporting portion which is indicated by the numeral 17 and which constitutes a horizontal extension from the bend 15.] This formation of the strip of metal member is duplicated said strip so as to form a rail base seat including a vertical portion 18 corresponding to the portion 11, a rail base supporting portion 19 corcomprising the base responding to the portion 12, a rail base flange engaging portion 20 corresponding to tie ortion 13, a bend 21 corresponding to the end 14 and providing an overhanging base flange engaging nose 22 corresponding to the mose, portion 16, and finally, a

ings, that the several rail base seats are oppositely arranged in the order in which they have been described, at opposite sides of the intermediate portion of the base member 10 as a whole. As will likewise be observed by reference to these figures, the said intermediate portion of the base member is designed to extend beneath the third rail 3 of the railway or track section, and to insure against any short circuiting, the said intermediate portion of the strip is-bent to provide a depression 24 which will'result in the said intermediate portion of the base member being spaced considerably below the said third rail 3. Outwardly beyond the vertical portion 18 of the rail seat comprising this portion and the portions 19 and 20, the strip is extended horizontally and thence downwardly and outwardly, as at 25, to provide a rest portion 26 designed to rest upon the surface upon which the structure is disposed.

At this point, it will be observed that by forming the strip comprising the base mem-' ber, in the manner above described, the base member is provided with two relatively adjacent laterally presentedv rail base seats and two relatively remote upwardly presented rail base seats, thewalls of the seats being resilient because of the inherent resiliency of the metal comprising the base member.

Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be readily understood that the base member may be readily and quickly adapted to the track section with which it is to be associated, by first engaging the outer base'flange of one of the rails 2, for example, in the seat provided by the overhanging nose 21 and rail base supporting portion 23, and then snapping the base flanges of the other rail 2 into place between the portions 11 and 13 of the rail seat at the other endof the base member, and in thisinstance, itwill be'evident that if the last mentioned rail is engaged in the seat comprising the portions 11, 12 and 13, and which seat is next adjacent the guard rail 8, the guard rail will be located relatively close to the track. Should it be desired to locate the guard rail a greater distance from the track, this may be readily accomplished by engaging the base of the outer rail of the track in the laterally opening seat which is next adjacentthe seat comprising the portions 11, 12 and 13 adjacent the guard rail, as shown in Figure 3, and snapping the base of the other rail into engagement in one side of the base flange is engaged bepanion seats in the said base member, the guard rail 8 may be positioned a greater or less distance from the track. In either event, the depressed intermediate portion 24 of the base member will be spaced from the third rail 3 to prevent any short circulting.

It will also be evident from the foregoing description of this embodiment of the invention that when the base members of the guard rail structure are snapped into engagement with the rails of the track sections, the uprights 6 will be firmly supported in upright position and will, in turn, firmly support the guard rail 8; It will also be obvious that the structure as a Whole may be manufactured at a low cost and the same is light in. weight.

' In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the'drawings, the guard structure includes-a base member which is indicated in general by the numeral 27 and is, as in the previously described form, formed from a single integral strip of sheet metal, bent, stamped, or otherwise fashioned to provide a supporting portion 28 which is horizontally disposed and which supports an upright 29 corresponding to the upright 6 and provided with a bracket 30 supporting the guard rail which is indicated by the numeral 31. The portion 28, in this form of the invention, is provided at its free extremity with a downwardly turned foot 32 having its lower portion turned outwardl as at 33, to rest upon the surface upon which the railway is disposed, and in order to reinforce the supporting portion 28, the same is preferably stamped or otherwise formed to provide longitudinally extending beads 34 as clearly shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, the beads extending parallel to the longitudinal edges of the said portion 28 and terminating slightly short of the ends thereof. The opposite or inner end of the portion 28 is turned downwardly as at 35, to provide one wall of a seat and beyond this portion the'strip comprising the base member is extended horizontally, as at 36, to provide a rail base supporting portion, and thence is bent as at 37, upwardly and inwardly to provide a base flange engaging nose 38 designed to overlie the flange of the rail of the track section which is engaged in the seat. At this point, it will be evident by reference to both forms of the invention thus far described, that in engagingthe'base of a rail in the seat shown in Figure 4 or the corresponding seat shown in. Figure 2,

neath the nose 13 or the nose 38, as the case may be, and the other side of the flange is then forced downwardly along the in wardly resented face of the ortion 11 or the portion 35, the resiliency o the metal of which the base member," in eithe instance,

is formed, permittingeof this rea y adapta-v tion of the rail to the seats, or vice versa. From the nose 38, the strip comprising the base member is extended horizontally, as at 39, and thence vertically, as at 40, and then horizontally as at 41, so as to providea de-. pressed intermediate portion which is to extend horizontally beneath the thirdrail of the track in spaced relation thereto to prevent short circuiting. At the other end of the portion 41, the strip is bent upwardly at an angle and then horizontally to provide a rail base supportin portion 42, and thence inwardly upon itseli as at 43, to provide a base flange engaging'nose 44. Beyond the base flange engaging nose 44, the strip is extended horizontally, as at 45, andthence downwardly as at 46, and finally hor1zontaily as at 47, so as to provide a foot designed to rest upon the floor or other surface upon which the structure is disposed. It will be observed that in this form of the invention, the structure is incapableof adjustment with relation to the track sections, but the feature of prime importance is still present, namely, that of a guard rail structure embodying a base member adapted to be instantly applied to a track section Without the adjustment of movable parts, the use of extraneous fastenin elements, or the employment of tools of any character whatsoever.

The feature above referred to is likewise present in the form of the invention which is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 ofthe drawings, and in these figures the numeral 48indicates in general the'base member of the guard rail structure which, as in the previously described forms, is formed from a suitable inte ral length of sheet metal bent or otherwise worked to provide a horizontally disposed supporting portion 49 upon whiclris mounted an upright 50 corresponding to the upright 29 and provided with a bracket 51 supporting the guard rail indicated by the numeral 52. The strip from which the base member is formed 1s provided at its end which sup ports the guard rail upright 50, with a de pending foot 53, and at the other end of the portion 49 the strip is bent to form a bluntly rounded nose indicated by the numeral 54. Immediately beneath the nose'54, the strip is bent to provide a horizontally extending portion 55 which is preferably reinforced by a stamped or otherwiseformed longitudinally extending rib 56, and which has its free end portion bent back upon itself to provide a hook-shaped terminal 57. In this embodiment of the invention, the base member is adapted to be snapped onto the ties of the track and by referencev to Figure 7, it will be observedthat'the ties are, as usual, formed of sheet metal and each tie, indicated in general'by the numeral 58, comprises 'a'r'ail supporting portion retria extending along e lonfiudinal edges of the portion 59, the tie ing open at its ends. In this embodiment of the invention,

the hook-shaped terminal 57 of the tie engaging portion 55 isengaged over one end of the tie, as shoivn in Figure 6, and the I, otherend or edge of the supporting po'rv tion 59 of the tie'is then depressed to ride over the bulged sideof the nose 54 and enage beneath the said nose as shown in said 1 clination althou h It will be observed that in all forms of I i) the invention, the principle remains the same, namely that a portion or member of the track, as for example, one-of the rails orone end of the tie is first engaged with.

gure.

abutment which may be the nose 16 or 1' nose 22inFigure 2,"or-the nose 44 in Figure 4, or the hook-she (1 terminal 57 in Figure 6, and the opposite side of the track then caused to ride over arounded shoulder and snapped into locking engagement with the base member of theguard rail strucv "L seats constituting means for accommodatin ture.

1 in Figure 8 of the drawings, the guard rail structure includes a base member indicated.

in general by the numeral 61,-and; support ways. comprising a base member embodying.

posite ends with outstan 'ng flanges or foot ing an upright ,62,.in turn supporting the guard rail-63, and in this form, the base; member 61 is substantially of the construc 1, tion shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, or it. may. be of the construction.

d telpending side portions 60.

adapted, and a .In embodiment of the invention shown" area-00a tween which the portions of the base member which engage theupper surface of the top, may seat, as shown in the said Figure 8. It will be understood, of course, that in employing the archmembers, they will be madein various heights so that the track supported thereby may be gradually inclined from the lower portion of the track to highest one of the arches, and, therefore, some of the arches will have their tops 66 disposed at a greater or less angle of inotherwise, all of the arches will be an stantially identical.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is: Y

comprising a base .member embodying 'a resi11ent seat to accommodate a member of the track to which the structure is to bc guard rail supported-upon the base member.

2. A guard-rail structure for toy ,rail ways comprising a base member embodying spaced seats having resilient walls, the

' rail supported upon the base member.

3. A guardrail structure for toy railspaced seats having resilient walls, the seats constituting means for accommodating the rails ofa track section with which the structure is to be assembled, and a guard rail shown in Figures 4 or. 6 of the drawings, supported :.upon the base member, one of but in any event, it is rovided at its opportions indicated by the numeral 64 The numeral 65 indicates in general an elevated support for the guardrail structure-and consequently for the track-associated there- D rial formed at intervals 1n its length to prowith, and this support is preferably formed of sheet metal and comprises a'fiat support-. ing top 66, sides 67, and downwardly exends 68, the ends being provided tendin of the ends 68 being standing base portions which the structure is arranged. Inorder that the base member 61 may be securely anchored upon the flat top 66015 the supporting arch 65-, said top 66 has tongues 2 struck up therefrom, and the flanges 64 of the base member 61 are'engaged beneath be more securely held upon the supporting these tongues by slightly'flexing the-base member 61 as a whole, thereby anchoring the base member upon the said top 66.

In, orderthat the, base member 61 may arch 65, the top 66 ofthe arch is preferably stamped or otherwise formed to provide spaced longitudinally extending ribs 73' beprovided with out-- 0 and .71 designedv to rest upon the floor or other surface uponcomprising a base member of resilient matevide spaced seats to receive the rails of a' track section'to which the member is to be adapted, and a guard rail supported upon [:the'said'base membena 4 5. A guard rail structure for toy railways "comprising a base member consisting of a strip of resilient sheet metal formed at intervals in its length to provide a seat having its open side presented upwardly .toaccommodate one rail of a track section with which the member is to be associated and a second seat having its open side presented laterally toward the first mentioned seat and designed to accommodate one side of another rail of, the said track section, and a guard rail sup ported upon the said base member.

I I 6. A'guard rail structure for toy railways comprising a base member consisting of a strip ofresilientmaterial formed at intervals in its length to provide seats to accommodate the rails of a sectionof track to which the structure isto be adapted, one of the seats comprising a rail base supporting portion to. and a resilientrail flange engaging nos'e over- 1,uss,eea

and 'a resilient base flange engaging nose overhanging the same, the other seat comprising a rail base supporting portion, a

from the track rails. p

9. A guard, rail structure for toy railways comprising a guard rail, and a base member 8. A guard rail structure for toy railwayscomprising a guard rail, a base member supporting the same and having a plurality of spaced sets. of seats to selectively accommo-, date the rails of a track section to which the base is to be adapted, whereby the said guard rail may be supported atdifferent distances supporting the same and having a plurality of spaced seats the walls of which are resiilent and adapted to selectively accommodate the rails of a track section to which the base is to be adapted, whereby the said guard rail may be supported at different distances from the track rails.

- 10. A guard rail structurefor toy railways comprising a guard rail, and a base member supporting the same and having a plurality .of spaced sets of seats to'selec-tively accommodate the rails of a track section to which the base is to'be adapted, whereby the said guard rail may be supported at different distances from the track rails, one of the seats of one of the sets having its open side presented outwardly and the said seat including a substantially perpendicular wall,

a rail base supporting portion, and a resilient base flange engaging nose presented toward the said wall and overhanging the support ing portion, the com anion seat of the other set including a rail ase supporting portion hanging said portion, the open side of the .last mentioned seat being presented toward the first mentioned seat.

11. A guard rail structure for toy railways comprising a guard rail, and a base member supporting the same and having a plurality of spaced sets of seats to selectively accommodate the rails of a track section to which the base is to be adapted, whereby the. said guard rail may be supported at different distances from the track rails, one of the seats of one of the sets having its openside presented upwardly and the said seat including a substantially perpendicular wall, a rail base supporting portion, and a resilient base flange engaging nose presented toward the sad wall and overhanging the supporting portion, the companion seat of the other set including a rail base supporting portion and a resilient rail flange engaging nose overhanging said portion, the

open side ofthe -last mentioned seat being presented toward the first mentioned seat, and the other. companion seat of the set being .reversely arranged with relation to the first mentioned companion seat and laterally displaced with relation thereto;

.12. A guard rail structure for toy railways comprising a base member embodying resilient holding means to coact with the member of the track to which the structure" is to be adapted, and a guard rail'supported upon the base member, the guard rail supporting portion of the base member having longitudinally extending ribs reinforcing the same.

' 13. A guard rail structure for toy railways comprising an arched su porting member having 'a substantially at top provided with spaced upstanding tongues presented 7 toward each other, a base member compris ing a strip of resilient sheet metal having flanges at its ends engageable beneath the tongues whereby to be held at its ends to the top of the said arch member, the strip having rail receiving seats therein to accommodate the rails ofqa. track section, and a guard rail supported by the said base member.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. v

WALTER M. FISCHBAGH. 

